Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-11-17
THE STATE SHOOT.
Reasons why the Capital Guards Tnink
They Should Have had the Prize

Reasons why the Capital Guards Think
They Should Have had the Prize
The decision of the tie between the Frontier
/ Guards and Capital Guards at the recent State
shoot. in favor of the Eastport Company, has
been yariously discussed and different opinions
expressed through the State concerning it, The
/ Capital Guards have inquired into the subject
closely and have become convinced that the
prize should have been awarded to them. A
member of the home team writes: Col.
Harrington has decided that the rules laid
down in Blunt's Manual are to govern in
matches. While we disagree with him as to
the Interpretation of the order we, neverthe-
less, accept his opinion as binding upon us.
We only desire 10 add that these rules have
not stood the test of experience, but have
been found 10 be defective and to-day prob
ably every rifle association in this country
has adopted the rules of the National Rine
association, and more than this, the English
rules are the same as those of the National
Rifle Association. Thus the whole contro-
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and most approved rules the Capital Guards
are entitled TO the first prize, while under
rules that have been discarded by the highest
authorities, it goes TO the Frontier Guards
In answer TO Capt. Choat's letter 90 General
Bodene. the Secretary of the National Rifle
Association, Mr.. John s. Shepherd, writes
upon the point involved in this controversy
as follows:
NEw YORK, Der. 25th 1887.
Cart. WINFIELD :. CHoATE, AuGusrA.
Sir. Your favor of the 22nd just at hand.
Our rules were revised in April 1885, and we
though, best to follow the English rule and
disregard misses. At 200 yds. perhaps the
old rule might be better but at mid range and
particularly at long range so many misses
prove to be good shots on the wrong tar
get that We adopted the English rule. con-
slider that for instance u score of six bills and
Il miss (3O) shows better holding, judge
ment of wind, elevation, change of con-
dtious or what ever the case may be
than another score of 30 where perhaps there
may be two or three inners. Then again espe-
caly ut 500 or 1000 yards miss is often
caused by some defect in the ammunition
which may not be the shooters fault. The
team score of one miss and three cutters by
our rules wins and as far as know all East
ern clubs 20 by the n L. A, rules, Blunt be-
ing only the army standard. | think that
Minnesota although using Blunt's target is
governed by our rules. have seen misses
at POO yds caused wholly by defective ammu-
muntion issued by the State of n. Y.
Yours very truly,
,IoHN :. SHEPHERD, Secy.
Gen. order No. 3 of the appendix to the
Adjutant Generals report for 1885 under
I;i a.. I....,;.. 4, II. ,i; A.. u,.,
""i'h NV rio"'"' ouai"e 'i"hh 'ii"' p'uhes
Manual was a,lopted in our judgement
,
specifically dlhncs the rules which were
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Adjutan Generals Office, Augusta, April 10, 1856.
General Orders No..
/. with The view Of increasing the efficiency of
far rs practicable conform TO 10 the prescribed reg
ulntions for the I = A.. as laid down In Capt H. $.
Hunts book of instructions. adopted by the War
Department. the targets and previous conditions of
qualifications for the several classes are hereby
rdrfice for the season OF ISS and uufu othey,rise
ordrcd. lnasmuch as the quota OF ammunition is
more than the number Of rounds required to com.
plctc the trings a distances required for quahca-
lion, il will bc found advantageous to have some OF
ii expended especially by those inexperienced in
yards, before undertaking to qualify the two hun
II. Company Commanders will see that the In
strucon in rifle practice In the arnory is thorough
before allowing the soldier TO practice on the range
Capt. Blun's instructions ON rifle practice, which
contains much useful information armory prnc-
icc, will be issued to the various Commands, and
will remain the property Of the State.
Ill Record books viii be issued to each company
IN which the made by members In all practice
upon the range, will be entered. This record will be
kept open to the inspection of all members of the
Militia.
". Al practice upon the range for the purpose OF
qualification must be under the supervision of
commission oificcr, or the company inspector Of
rifle practice, or II non commissioned officer desig
mated by the Company Commander. And all re.
turns made must be- certified To by such officer and
the person marking, upon suitable blanks provided
for that purpose
V. The practice viii close October 18th and
the returns TO the State Inspector Of rifle practice
must b" made on or before November first.
CLASSES
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Shhrpshoolrrr 10 dualify as Sharpshooter, 10
out o. po,sne 90 %ii De required ut each distance